Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation acutely lowers the response threshold of human motor circuits

SummaryTranscranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) over cortical areas has been shown to acutely improve performance in sensory detection tasks. One explanation for this behavioural effect is stochastic resonance, a mechanism that explains how signal processing in non-linear systems can benefit from added noise. While acute noise benefits of electrical random noise stimulation have been demonstrated at the behavioural level as well as in in vitro preparations of neural tissue, it is currently largely unknown whether similar effects can be shown at the neural population level using neurophysiological readouts of human cortex. Here we hypothesized that acute tRNS will increase the responsiveness of primary motor cortex (M1) when probed with transcranial magnetic stimulation. Neural responsiveness was operationalized via the well-known concept of the resting motor threshold (RMT). We showed that tRNS acutely decreases RMT. This effect was relatively small, but it was consistently replicated across four experiments including different cohorts (total N=81), two tRNS electrode montages, and different control conditions. Our experiments provide critical neurophysiological evidence that tRNS can acutely generate noise benefits by enhancing the neural population response of human M1. These new findings complement previous behavioural research which proposed that noise induced via tRNS can beneficially modulate neural processing.

Light-Sheet Microscopy in Neuroscience

Light-sheet microscopy is an imaging approach that offers unique advantages for a diverse range of neuroscience applications. Unlike point-scanning techniques such as confocal and two-photon microscopy, light-sheet microscopes illuminate an entire plane of tissue, while imaging this plane onto a camera. Although early implementations of light sheet were optimized for longitudinal imaging of embryonic development in small specimens, emerging implementations are capable of capturing light-sheet images in freely moving, unconstrained specimens and even the intact in vivo mammalian brain. Meanwhile, the unique photobleaching and signal-to-noise benefits afforded by light-sheet microscopy's parallelized detection deliver the ability to perform volumetric imaging at much higher speeds than can be achieved using point scanning. This review describes the basic principles and evolution of light-sheet microscopy, followed by perspectives on emerging applications and opportunities for both imaging large, cleared, and expanded neural tissues and high-speed, functional imaging in vivo.

Evaluation of ultra-high bypass ratio engines for an over-wing aircraft configuration

Today, main hub airports are already at their capacity limit and hence, smaller airports have become more interesting for providing point-to-point connections. Unfortunately, the use of regional airports induces an increased environmental footprint for the population living around it. In an attempt to solve the related problems, the research project Coordinated Research Centre 880 aims to examine the fundamentals of a single-aisle aircraft with active high-lift configuration powered by two geared ultra-high bypass turbofan engines mounted over the wing. Low direct operating costs, noise shielding due to the over-wing configuration, and short runway lengths are the main advantages. Highlighting the performance, economical and noise benefits of a geared ultra-high bypass engine is the key aim of this paper. This assessment includes a correspondingly adjusted aircraft. Open literature values are applied to design the two investigated bypass ratios; a reference engine with a bypass ratio of 5 and 17 respectively. This study shows that a careful selection of engine mass flow, turbine entry temperature and overall pressure ratio determines the desirable bypass ratio. The aircraft direct operating costs drop by 5.7% when comparing the designed conventional with a future ultra-high bypass ratio engine. Furthermore, the sound at source for a selected mission and operating condition can be reduced by 7 dB. A variable bypass nozzle area for the ultra-high bypass ratio engine is analysed in terms of performance and operability. An increase of safety margin is shown for the turbofan engine with a variable bypass nozzle. It is concluded that this unconventional aircraft configuration with ultra-high bypass ratio engines mounted over the wing has the potential to relieve main hub airports and reduce the environmental impact.